Bill Posey

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, on December 21, 2019, Brevard County families, businesses and local community organizations will gather to celebrate the 11th Annual Family Christmas Extravaganza. Having become one of the largest Christmas celebrations on the Space Coast, this year's event will be bigger and better than ever, promising a place for family and friends to partake in a wide variety of holiday festivities to get them in the Christmas spirit. This year's event will take place at Fred Poppe Regional Park in Palm Bay from 11 am-4:30 pm and will be completely free of charge thanks to over 80 local businesses and organizations that came together to donate food, gift certificates and equipment. Because of their generous contributions, families will be able to enjoy cotton candy, hotdogs, snow cones, bouncy houses, ride horses and trains and even go rock climbing. Hosting the event will be Eddie Anthony Izquierdo as ``Eddie Frost'' and Ahriel Brown as ``Arctic Ahriel,'' who will engage families with Christmas singalongs, short skits, and giveaways. A variety of exclusive performances will follow by Grammy Award-winning bassist Trae Pierce and the T-Stones, Chagy the Clown and the acrobats of Cirque Adventure. The House of Palm Bay, City of Palm Bay Parks and Recreation along with several community business partners such as Thrifty Specialty Produce, Chick-Fil-A, Gator Automotive and Edible Arrangements are just among the few names of many we have to thank for providing the venue and resources to make the celebration unforgettable. Senior Pastor Ken Delgado of the House at Palm Bay said in anticipation of the event, ``With today's news being filled with division, contention and expressions of hatred, it is exciting to see the City of Palm Bay, along with its businesses and citizens, create an event where love, joy and peace is expressed. The Family Christmas Extravaganza is the greatest expression that so many people yearn for and is what the angels proclaimed at the birth of Jesus saying, `Peace and good will towards all men.' '' The City of Palm Bay issued a proclamation in support for this year's celebration, proclaiming December 21, 2019 Family Christmas Extravaganza Day. The spirit ofthe holidays is all about giving and spending time with loved ones. This year's Extravaganza brings our community together to remind us of that. I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting all those who are doing their part to spread the Christmas spirit this holiday season and those who have worked so hard to make the Annual Family Christmas Extravaganza possible.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, November 11th marks the start of National Cybersecurity Career Awareness Week. This week-long campaign focuses on local, regional and national interest to engage the community on not only the importance of cybersecurity but career opportunities in the field. Cybersecurity IT workers play a vital role in upkeeping the integrity of our systems, networks, and programs as well as pioneering new ways to promote system strength against unforeseen threats. In a highly interconnected and increasingly globalized world, there has never been a more important time than now to raise awareness. Unfortunately, America is facing a critical shortage of people trained in cybersecurity. There are currently over 300,000 jobs nationally that need to be filled in the cybersecurity workforce and globally, an expected shortfall of 1.8 million cybersecurity professionals by 2022. This deficit can easily be filled by American talent and continued commitment to making educational resources available early. In my own district, we are playing our part by educating the public about what role cybersecurity plays in their everyday lives and how impactful a career in cybersecurity can be. To raise awareness of the importance of cybersecurity, several of our local colleges along with CareerSource Brevard, Brevard School District, Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast and Florida High Tech Corridor to name a few, will come together to discuss the role of cybersecurity in our economy, in enhancing public safety and national security. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing National Cybersecurity Career Awareness Week.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, November 11th marks the start of National Cybersecurity Career Awareness Week. This week-long campaign focuses on the local, regional and national interest to engage the community on not only the importance of cybersecurity but career opportunities in the field. Cybersecurity IT workers play a vital role in upkeeping the integrity of our systems, networks, and programs as well as pioneering new ways to promote system strength against unforeseen threats. In a highly interconnected and increasingly globalized world, there has never been a more important time than now to raise awareness. Unfortunately, America is facing a critical shortage of people trained in cybersecurity. There are currently over 300,000 jobs nationally that need to be filled in the cybersecurity workforce and globally, an expected shortfall of 1.8 million cybersecurity professionals by 2022. This deficit can easily be filled by American talent and continued commitment to making educational resources available early. In my own district, we are doing our part by educating the public about what role cybersecurity plays in their everyday lives and how impactful a career in cybersecurity can be. To raise the awareness of the importance of pursuing a career in cybersecurity, several of our local colleges along with the Brevard School District, EDC Space Coast and Florida Tech Corridor to name a few, will come together to discuss the role of cybersecurity in our economy, in enhancing public safety and national security. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing National Cybersecurity Career Awareness Week.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, today I would like to recognize and celebrate the service of Councilman Dr. Joe Lee Smith, who after 36 years of faithful service to our Rockledge City Council, will enter retirement this November. Having been elected to the city council twelve consecutive terms, serving 3 years as council chairman and as deputy mayor, the city of Rockledge owes much to Dr. Smith for his unmatched dedication and service to its residents. A life-long Brevard County resident, Dr. Smith began his career as an educator, having earned his doctoral degree in education from University of Florida and serving as the President Emeritus of Brevard Community College (BCC) until 2000. He then came out of retirement to become provost of the Palm Bay Campus location and served as BCC's college ambassador until 2017. In both his personal and professional life, he was viewed as a mentor for students in the community and his coworkers. He was a founder of the Brevard Recreation Association and served on the board of directors for many community organizations such as the Salvation Army, Circles of Care, Rolling Readers, and the Boys and Girls Club. Mayor Tom Price of Rockledge says of Councilman Smith, ``He's the definition of a true statesman, someone that you rarely see in politics anymore. He's done 36 years of great work on the board and will be greatly missed by the City Council.'' In recognition of his work to advance higher education in the community, Dr. Smith has had several educational facilities named in his honor such as the Joe Lee Smith Recreational Center in Cocoa and the Dr. Joe Lee Smith Teaching Center on the Brevard Community College Melbourne Campus. A revered and distinguished member of the community, he has been the recipient of multiple awards including the Brevard Community College Distinguished Servant Award, Onyx Magazine's Humanitarian Award, and the United Third Bridge Puerto Rican Taino Award for his work advancing the Hispanic community in Brevard. Aside from his distinguished role as an educator for the community, Dr. Smith has also been honored as an athlete, having been inducted into Florida A & M University's Sports Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a talented baseball player in addition to the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions in sports program development. On November 20th, the Rockledge City Council will recognize Dr. Smith's long and accomplished tenure. His contributions to the community are immeasurable and will surely be felt and appreciated by generations of Floridians to come. I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives along with the residents of Rockledge to join me in saluting his work.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize two exceptional and accomplished baseball teams from Florida's eighth congressional district for their recent championship wins. The Viera Suntree Little League sent both their Juniors and Majors All-Stars baseball teams to compete in the state championships, bringing home two stunning victories. Not only did both teams win state championships, but the Juniors team went on to play in the Little League World Series where only 16 teams in the entire country are selected to compete. There the Juniors team placed second in the U.S. bracket and fourth in the World, finishing with a 15 and 2 overall record. The magnitude of both teams' accomplishments cannot be understated. Their dedication to excellence in the sport of baseball is evident in this achievement. I would like to also mention that this is not the first time that Viera Suntree All-Stars teams have competed for championships. They received their first Majors division state championship in 2010. These teams consistently compete at high levels and voluntarily dedicate themselves to countless hours of practice and playing games. I am incredibly grateful to have such outstanding young men and their coaches represent our district on the national stage. I would like to extend a special congratulations to Manager Jason Allen, Coaches John Glendinning and Dustin Keith, and players Aaron Brand, Luke Campbell, Lucas Glendinning, Apollos Horrell, Luc Iten, Dylan Jordan, Logan Keith, Luke McDonough, Cameron Ruston, Cameron Simpkins, Cole Smith, Blake Strode, Brycen Weeks, and Camden Wicker of the Juniors team. I would also like to congratulate Manager Russell Cheatham, Coaches Raul Leoni, Clint Marshall, and players Izzy Birru, Robbie Caruso, Micah Cheatham, Brennan Confreda, Finnegan Goldiner, Dominic Leoni, Evan Lipski, Austin Marshall, Colton Marshall, Deaglan McBride, Mikey Minarik, Jonah Peacock, and Brandon Reiter of the Majors team. I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the accomplishments of both the Juniors and Majors All- Star teams and I look forward to seeing what they can achieve next year.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, October 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of Vero Beach, an iconic and vibrant seaside town full of rich history and culture in my district that I am proud to celebrate. Known locally as the ``Hidden Jewel of the Treasure Coast'', Vero Beach continues to showcase the unique wildlife, scenic coasts, thriving local businesses and the hardworking people of Florida. First settled in the 1800's, Vero Beach's original pioneers paved the way for the prosperity the city enjoys today. One of the most notable early settlers, Henry T. Gifford, owned and operated a citrus grove business in addition to establishing the area's first mercantile store that doubled as a post office, express office and railroad ticket office. The story of how the town got its name ``Vero'' is often attributed to his wife Sarah who suggested the settlement be named the Latin word for ``to speak the truth.'' The Giffords' entrepreneurial spirit lived on, then leading Vero to experience significant growth and expansion in the following decades. In 1893, Henry Flaglers Florida East Coast Railroad (FEC) began service through Indian River County, serving as a turning point for the growing settlement that led to the Indian River Farms Company's launch of an extensive land reclamation project. This included a vision for a town that would become ``one of the finest in Florida.'' The final plans for the ``Town of Vero'' were adopted in 1913. In 1925, following Vero's incorporation into the City Beautiful Campaign, the town's most prominent members lobbied the Florida Legislature for the creation of a new county known as ``Indian River.'' Vero was designated the county seat and was re-named Vero Beach. Just recently, the city officials of Vero Beach gathered in recognition of the Centennial with an official proclamation. The Mayor of Vero Beach, Val Zudans says of the milestone, ``There is no better small town in America to live, retire, visit, raise children, or start a business. At 100 we are proud of our heritage, culture, and freedom. We eagerly await the next 100 years of making Vero more Vero.'' In 2018, Vero was named one of the ``Top Ten Happiest Seaside Towns in America'' by Coastal Living Magazine, and it continues to stand as a beautiful and lively back drop for families looking for a place to settle and for veterans seeking retirement. Its residents led by the Vero Beach Centennial Committee, intend to celebrate the 100 years with a month-long celebration of the community that includes a historic slide show and video presentation, live music, and a parade by Vero Beach High School. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Centennial of Vero Beach. Here's to 100 more years of memories and community.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, today I join millions of my fellow Americans in recognizing National Estuaries Week, which extends from September 14 to September 21. We know that estuaries are those places where freshwaters or rivers meet the seas. Estuaries are also places where biodiversity is often at its zenith. They are the ecologies of our coastal communities. Wherever a watershed empties into the sea, we find an estuary. My home in Florida is part of an estuary called the Indian River Lagoon, where the fresh and salt waters mix behind barrier islands to form what experts recognize as the most biodiverse estuary in the United States of America. My community and district depend on the lagoon to support a broad array of activities to meet our economic, environmental, and recreational needs. My neighbors and I understand how much we depend on the lagoon. We strive to protect the sea turtles and the habitat of the manatees. When they are thriving, we know that fishermen, boaters, businesses, and, most importantly, our families will thrive. For years, I have worked for the health of the Indian River Lagoon and tried to help other communities keep their estuaries healthy. The challenges of the Indian River Lagoon are the same challenges faced by all the other estuaries. Last Congress, I joined with Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici to found the Congressional Estuary Caucus to support the National Estuary Program, foster research in estuary restoration and protection, and bring other resources to bear on sustaining our estuaries. National Estuaries Week is a special time for a national celebration of our estuary efforts and for local estuary programs within the national program to bring the importance of estuaries to their communities and involve other citizens in their work. An important part of these goals is to communicate the value and importance of our estuaries and our coasts to key decisionmakers at the local, State, and Federal levels. That is what we are doing right now. Our friends at Restore America's Estuaries tell us that last year's celebration was a tremendous success, as organizations and volunteers from across the country gathered at their local bays or riverfronts and classrooms to celebrate and learn about the importance of our estuaries and how they benefit our daily lives. More than 30,000 volunteers across 21 States, Canada, and Guam participated in over 105 different estuary events. Many of this year's events are posted online, and they give us a stunning picture of how each estuary, while being a national asset, is also a unique treasure to its communities. For example, in Palm Bay in my district, the Marine Resources Council, the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program, The Nature Conservancy of Florida, Act 2 Technologies, and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program held a rain barrel workshop and auction, heard from a distinguished panel of water quality experts, and dined on a fine barbecue meal. A speakers panel open forum focused on audience participation, facilitating questions and concerns, as well as the opportunity to present ideas and potential problems and solutions for our waterways. We also celebrate National Estuaries Week as a time to recommit our effort in the caucus to achieve full funding for the National Estuary Program and to bring those resources to the communities that live on the estuaries' edge. We can and we must work to assure that our estuaries and our environment are sustained.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, on Monday, September 9, 2019, my return flight to Washington, DC, was delayed due to mechanical difficulties. As such, I was unfortunately unable to be present for the legislative session. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 515, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 516. personal explanation

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, today I rise in recognition of Mr. Ronald E. Feile of Titusville, Florida, a constituent who recently retired after thirty-six years of working at the Kennedy Space Center as an air traffic controller, and, most recently as a lead contractor for the Washington Consulting Group. Ronald Feile began his aviation career in the U.S. Army where he served as part of a mobile VFR tower crew in Vietnam from April 1970 through November 1971. In 1971, he became control chief of combined tower and radar facility and was placed in charge of training personnel and scheduling logistical supply which was vital to our operation in Vietnam. He also served as flight operations liaison to the South Vietnamese army and earned the Army Commendation Medal. Following his military service and service as an air traffic controller with the FAA, Ron was recruited to work on our space program at the Cape serving as the lead Air Traffic Controller for the Shuttle Landing Facility and the Military Radar Unit. In that role, Ron was intimately involved with our Shuttle program, coordinating air and ground support for Shuttle launch and landing events. He also provided his expertise for major satellite and launch payload deliveries. Throughout his career, Ron has been awarded NASA's Silver Snoopy Award and NASA's Space Flight Awareness Award. He was also interviewed by NASA as part of its oral history of the Shuttle program. In addition to these honors, he will receive the highest tribute for those in aviation history. Ronald Feile's name will be inscribed in the wall of the Air and Space Museum. Ron's name will join the names of Buzz Aldrin, the Wright Brothers, Charles Lindberg, John Glenn, Ameila Earhart, and countless other pioneers of our aviation history. Having worked on our nation's space program as a young man, I have come to know many of the great Americans like Ron who have dedicated their lives to serving our nation and making our space program so successful. I ask Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to join me and Ron's family, friends, and colleagues at the Washington Consulting Group in recognizing his work and contribution to America's mission in space.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to be here today to speak about the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11. I can remember sitting in class with the teacher discussing President John F. Kennedy's speech about going to the Moon at Rice University in 1961, when he committed this country to putting a man on the Moon and bringing him safely back to Earth within the decade. He said: Great nations do things, not because they are easy, because they are hard. And it certainly was hard. I remember doing the math on my fingers and saying, you know, I am going to be old enough to be involved in that program. And my goal became to have my fingerprints on the rocket that took the first man to the Moon. To make a long story short, 5 years later I was an inspector working on the third stage of the Apollo rocket, one of the highlights of my life. Americans were united in those days in their zeal for space; the Apollo Moon landing being the greatest technological advancement in the history of mankind. Some writers described those times as a Camelot era, where people respected their President, even if they didn't vote for them. Not until 9/11 had I seen Americans as united as they were around the Apollo program. Space, of course, is important to our national security. It is important to our economic prosperity. It is important to our technological advancement. I ask people how often they benefit from space, and the response usually averages, 6 percent say they benefit from space once a year; 4 percent say they benefit from space once a month; and only 2 percent say they benefit from space once a week. And we won't even go to once a day. I guess those people have roosters in the backyard that give them their weather reports. They don't pay any attention to the images we have from the satellites. I guess they don't use cell phones, or use credit cards, or even make cash transactions, because those are all satellite-linked. Ultimately, space is important to us for the ultimate survival of our species. Neil deGrasse Tyson lectured our Science, Space, and Technology Committee several years ago on the benefits of space. And while he was here, he gave a lecture for staff and Members over at the Jefferson Building at the Library of Congress; very well-attended and well-taken. During his presentation, he mentioned that space is the only thing Congress really spends money on to truly benefit the next generation, and I believe that. I believe those are trees that we plant without the expectation of being around to enjoy all the shade. I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee for helping keep space a bipartisan issue. I hope we can build on the legacy of Apollo 11 and that, some day, our children and their children can come together and enjoy positive achievements for their generation and generations to follow.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, today I rise in recognition of Mr. Ronald E. Feile of Titusville, FL, a constituent who recently retired after thirty-six years of working at the Kennedy Space Center as an air traffic controller, and, most recently as a lead contractor for the Washington Consulting Group. Ronald Feile began his aviation career in the U.S. Army where he served as part of a mobile VFR tower crew in Vietnam from April 1970 through November 1971. In 1971, he became control chief of combined tower and radar facility and was placed in charge of training personnel and scheduling logistical supply which was vital to our operation in Vietnam. He also served as flight operations liaison to the South Vietnamese army and earned the Army Commendation Medal. Following his military service and service as an air traffic controller with the FAA, Ron was recruited to work on our space program at the Cape serving as the lead Air Traffic Controller for the Shuttle Landing Facility and the Military Radar Unit. In that role, Ron was intimately involved with our Shuttle program, coordinating air and ground support for Shuttle launch and landing events. He also provided his expertise for major satellite and launch payload deliveries. Throughout his career, Ron has been awarded NASA's Silver Snoopy Award and NASA's Space Flight Awareness Award. He was also interviewed by NASA as part of its oral history of the Shuttle program. In addition to these honors, he will receive the highest tribute for those in aviation history. Ronald Freile's name will be inscribed in the wall of the Air and Space Museum. Ron's name will join the names of Buzz Aldrin, the Wright Brothers, Charles Lindberg, John Glenn, Ameila Earhart, and countless other pioneers of our aviation history. Having worked on our nation's space program as a young man, I have come to know many of the great Americans like Ron who have dedicated their lives to serving our nation and making our space program so successful. I ask members of the U.S. House of Representatives to join me and Ron's family, friends, and colleagues at the Washington Consulting Group in recognizing his work and contribution to America's mission in space.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. POSEY. Madam Chair, it is about time for a bipartisan amendment after all that stuff, and we are going to offer one here. That is why I rise in support of this amendment offered by my colleague, Frederica Wilson, and myself. The amendment highlights the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon and back, which launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. On July 20, 1969, NASA Astronaut Neil Armstrong took the first historic steps on the Moon and declared: ``That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.'' It was the greatest technological feat in the history of mankind. And what makes it even more remarkable is when we think back 50 years ago, this was all done with slide rules. Our daughters' iPhones have thousands of times more power than all of the Apollo computers combined. This amendment is offered to honor Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins, the men and women of NASA, and especially the contractors in virtually every State across the Nation who made that possible with the support of the American taxpayers, without whose support the Apollo program would not have been possible. Space exploration is one of the greatest examples of American leadership and the boldness of the human spirit. It is important to our national security, our technological advancement, and, ultimately, the survival of our species. Space is also vital to the American economy. The space industry generates more than $400 billion in economic activity. In Florida alone, the space industry impact totals over $19 billion annually and 130,000 jobs. In recognition of the historic achievement of the Apollo 11 mission, I want to urge my colleagues to cosponsor H. Res. 443, the bipartisan resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing. Madam Chairwoman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POSEY. Madam Chairwoman, I yield to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt), my good friend and staunch space supporter.

Mr. POSEY. Madam Chair, I ask my colleagues to join Congresswoman Wilson and I in supporting this bipartisan amendment and cosponsoring H. Res. 443. I would like to thank Congresswoman Wilson for her working with me on this issue, and many other space-related issues, and I would also like to thank her staffer, Jean Roseme and our own John Schweikert for their help in moving this forward. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and his kind remarks. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1237, the COAST Research Act, of which I am an original cosponsor. Those of us who live on the coast understand that the coast is an essential part of our lives. In my own State of Florida, approximately 80 percent of the population lives along the coast. About 6 million people work in our coastal communities and produce nearly $280 billion a year in wages and contribute over $700 billion in gross domestic product. Today, we face uncertainty about the sustainability and the resilience of our coasts. Parts of our coast have come under assault from the ocean itself, even before anyone imagined anything about sea level rise. Acidification presents uncertainties in the ocean and could pose severe effects to the biodiversity of our marine wildlife. Along the Space Coast, we have seen a recent plague of algal blooms that foul our estuaries and threaten our economy. It is serious and it is heartbreaking. The message is clear: We need to take care of our precious coast so that we can continue to enjoy the lifestyle and the economic well-being that we all cherish. We must work with the Federal Government in the interest of improving our coastal resilience. That is why I have joined Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici in directing NOAA to pick up the role of leading research for coastal acidification. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record four letters of support for the COAST Research Act from the following organizations: the Consortium for Ocean Leadership, the Surfrider Foundation, the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, and the Northwest fisheries groups. Consortium for Ocean Leadership, Washington, DC, March 1, 2019. Hon. Suzanne Bonamici, Washington, DC. Dear Congresswoman Bonamici: On behalf of the Consortium for Ocean Leadership (COL), which represents our nation's leading ocean science, research, and technology organizations from academia, industry, and aquariums, I am writing to express support for the Coastal and Ocean Acidification Stressors and Threats (COAST) Research Act (H.R. 6267). America relies on our ocean and coastal communities for our basic individual needs as well as our overall security and prosperity. Keeping these environments, and therefore their communities, safe from the myriad threats associated with ocean acidification is paramount to our ocean security. COL applauds the COAST Research Act in its mission to strengthen existing ocean acidification initiatives and introduce new strategies to better understand and manage this environmental stressor. Ocean acidification, which occurs as the ocean absorbs higher concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide, threatens the health of the entire ocean. As corals, shellfish, and many types of plankton struggle to create and maintain their shells or exoskeletons in more acidic waters, ocean food webs are disrupted. This, in turn, threatens the crucial balance in many ecosystems, as well as our own food security, and jeopardizes the stability of those whose livelihoods depend on a healthy ocean. Combatting the causes and mitigating the effects of ocean acidification requires sustained congressional support and interagency collaboration, as well as engagement from stakeholders in the private sector and academia. I strongly commend the COAST Research Act's commitment to advancing ocean acidification research and monitoring efforts, as well as promoting cooperation among stakeholder groups. I offer my sincere thanks to you, Congresswoman Bonamici, along with Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and Congressmen Don Young and Bill Posey, for your bipartisan efforts to help us better understand ocean acidification and improve overall ocean health by strengthening federal investments in the research and increasing monitoring of changing ocean conditions. Our lives and our future may well depend on it. Respectfully, Jonathan W. White, RADM (Ret.), USN, President and CEO.

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, we must not fail to preserve the sustainability and resilience of our coastal resources, our environments, and our economies. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support the COAST Research Act.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and his kind words. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 988, the National Estuaries and Acidification Research Act. First, I want to thank Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and Congressman Brian Mast for working with me and our staff to advance this important bipartisan legislation. I also want to thank the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for their valuable input. The NEAR Act is a national proposal with a very special connection. People in my district, the Eighth Congressional District of Florida, understand in a very deep way the economic and environmental importance of the ocean and our estuary. My district is bounded on the east by the Indian River Lagoon, which is North America's most diverse estuary. As the name implies, our estuary is a lagoon. It is an estuary separated from the ocean by barrier islands. The exchange of waters between the lagoon and the sea makes it an estuary. The lagoon is 156 miles long, but it is only a half mile to 5 miles wide and averages just 3 feet in depth. Our lagoon is a wondrous nursery for sea life, but its physical features make it especially vulnerable to environmental threats. Unfortunately, the Indian River Lagoon and other valuable estuaries throughout our country are being threatened by ocean acidification, along with other stressors. EPA tells us that, when carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, about one-third of that carbon dioxide is absorbed by seawater, creating carbonic acid. We have seen this happen in the ocean, but this process is now seeming to occur in estuaries and coastal zones. Ten years of Federal investments in ocean acidification research show that acidification hurts tourism, recreational fishing, and coastal communities that depend on healthy marine ecosystems. Shellfish are especially at peril. The threats of coastal acidification to our environment and our economy are significant. The story of my district and the Indian River Lagoon plays out along our entire national coastline. More than half of the U.S. population lives in coastal areas. Coastal watershed counties provide an estimated 69 million U.S. jobs and contribute an estimated $7.9 trillion to the GDP, annually. That is why I joined with Congresswoman Bonamici to cofound the bipartisan Congressional Estuary Caucus to work for policies that preserve and restore our estuaries and to help support other efforts like research and development to contribute to healthy estuaries. Regrettably, we don't know a lot about how increasing ocean acidification affects a nearshore water body like the Indian River Lagoon. That is because acidification often acts, alongside other coastal processes, like runoff, erosion, and upwelled water from the ocean. These estuary conditions aren't present in the same way in the open ocean, and they make it difficult to measure acidification's impact from what we know about the open ocean. As a result, we don't yet have a great way to measure how acidification plays out in estuaries. We need more research to support efforts to prevent and mitigate coastal acidification. The NEAR Act is a great step toward increasing our knowledge of how acidification affects our estuaries. The study proposed in this bill can give us invaluable information to bolster our efforts to preserve and restore healthy estuaries. Mr. Speaker, when we take care of our environment, we take care of ourselves; and, therefore, I ask my colleagues to join me in taking this important step toward understanding how ocean acidification affects our precious estuaries and support this bill today.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize today's guest chaplain, Chaplain Thomas E. Fussell, Jr., and welcome him to the United States House of Representatives. Chaplain Fussell, a major in the United States Air Force, is currently assigned to the 45th Space Wing, stationed at Patrick Air Force Base in Brevard County, Florida. The duties of the 45th Space Wing--including supporting the Department of Defense (DOD), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and commercial manned and unmanned space programs at Patrick Air Force Base--are critical to the success of space programs operating out of Cape Canaveral. As Deputy Wing Chaplain to the 45th Space Wing, Chaplain Fussell advises commanders and first sergeants, ensures the free exercise of religion, and provides spiritual care, moral and ethical advice, and pastoral care and counseling to all military personnel and their families. Along with other chaplains serving in the Space Command, he is part of the spiritual backbone of American operations in space. Chaplain Fussell received his Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2000. In 2004, he was ordained as an elder in the South Georgia Conference and, in 2005, he commissioned as a chaplain. In light of his many years of service, I am thankful that Chaplain Fussell could be with us today and offer a prayer in anticipation of Memorial Day. May the Lord bless all the brave men and women in uniform who have given their lives to protect our great nation, the United States of America.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, on Saturday, May 11, 2019, thousands of residents from across Central Florida will gather at the Cocoa Beach Pier in Cocoa Beach, Florida, to take part in the Eighth Annual ``Footprints in the Sand'' Cocoa Beach Kidney Walk. Katie and I have joined others in our community in participating every year since the first walk was organized in 2012 by Rich Salick, Bill Hahn and volunteers with the Florida Affiliate of the National Kidney Foundation. The ``Footprints in the Sand'' Kidney Walk brings our community together to show our love and concern. So many of us have family, friends and loved ones that are afflicted by kidney disease and they need our strength and support. The road ahead is not easy for them, but as the kidney walk demonstrates, they do not have to travel that path alone. The National Kidney Foundation of Florida, its supporters and activists have made a significant difference in people's lives. They not only raise awareness about this disease but they have helped push for much needed changes in our laws and new innovations to give patients more treatment options and a better quality of life. This year organizers of the kidney walk will recognize organ donors and their families for giving the precious gift of life so that others could receive a second chance and continue with their lives. Those recognized include: Ellen Tuech on behalf of Geoffrey Wasden, Donna Oakley on behalf of James ``Jimmy'' Gregory Fisher, Dawn Futch on behalf of Michael-Gene Futch, Diana Couch on behalf of Linda Couch, Billie Lomonaco on behalf of Tiffany Accardi, Jasmine Persaud on behalf of Anand Persaud, Sherri Wilson on behalf of William Garrett Coe, Pat Brown on behalf of Michael Brown, Laila Merolle on behalf of Mario Merolle, Maria Isabel Almonte on behalf of Xavier Emilio Lara Almonte, Josefina Merizalde on behalf of Emily Baquerizo, Laura Dawkins on behalf of Brooke Dawkins, Mary Carpenter on behalf of Shawn Carpenter, Patricia Rivera on behalf of Sebastian Rivera, Donna Kinney on behalf of Matthew David Hartmann, Shebna Dorsey on behalf of Andrew Dorsey, Deborah Harder Thorpe on behalf of Jessica Harder, Vivian Pogeler on behalf of Scott Pogeler, and Susan Hahn and Teresa Jamison-Hahn on behalf of Bill Hahn. I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the strong will of these caring families, their loved ones and all those who have joined the effort and worked tirelessly to raise awareness about kidney disease.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, my return flight to Washington, D.C. was delayed due to technical difficulties, and I was unable to attend the legislative session on April 1, 2019. Had I been present, I would have voted yea on Roll Call No. 137; yea on Roll Call No. 138; and nay on Roll Call No. 139.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, my return flight to Washington, D.C., was delayed due to technical difficulty, and I was unable to attend the legislative session on March 5, 2019. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 104, and ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 105.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding the opportunity to speak about H.R. 1. You have heard it called the ``Welfare for Politicians Act''; you have heard it called the ``Democrat Politician Protection Act''; and you have heard it called a very partisan proposal to hijack elections. I think it may be all those things. Historically, elections are based on three principles: number one is fairness to everybody who votes, number two is that every vote counts, and number three is that every voter should have the assurance or the confidence that their vote was counted equally and was not compromised in one way or the other. This bill does none of those things. If it did, and if it was at all fair, it would have bipartisan support. In 2000, after the contentious election between Bush and Gore, I was chairman of the elections committee in the Florida Senate and charged with reforming the election laws. Working with the minority leader at the time, Steve Geller, we did some historic things. We pioneered the provisional ballot. We pioneered early voting. We got rid of punch cards and went to precinct-based optical scanners that they said would cost Republicans 100,000 votes statewide. It seems like the Republicans knew how to vote and the other side didn't. We did those things because it was fair and it was the right thing to do. And as a result, for the past 19 years, our elections have worked very well down there, except for two counties, very highly partisan counties who didn't follow the rules. The measure of credibility for election bills is whether or not you have bipartisan support. Our legislation passed nearly unanimously, if not unanimously. Here, this is very one-sided. It is not fair. If it were fair, you would have a lot of support from this side. And so I am for the other side to try and consider fairness a little bit in this process so we don't go from one regime to another, back and forth with election law that is not stable, is not good for the voters, is not good for the United States of America.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, on March 5, 2019, Citizens from across the country will gather in our nation's Capital to help raise awareness about kidney disease and advocate for public policy solutions as part of the National Kidney Foundation's Annual Patient Advocacy Summit. In all my years of service, I have yet to meet more caring and tireless advocates. Their advocacy is important because of the number of people kidney disease affects--nearly one in three adults are at risk of developing kidney disease. Nearly thirty million Americans have kidney disease and approximately ninety percent don't even know it. It sneaks up on you and that's why raising awareness is a key component to combating this disease and ultimately saving lives. Sadly, on October 10, 2018, we lost one of our great advocates and champions--our friend Bill Hahn of Rockledge, Florida, passed away. Bill was one of those unspoken heroes who got up every morning and fought to keep going, for himself, and so many other people struggling with kidney disease, recovering from transplant surgery and waiting to receive the special gift of life. From an early age, Bill believed in physical fitness and leading a very active and healthy life. As a young man he was a male model and later a professional surfer with the famous Salick surf team winning numerous awards. A graduate of Florida State University, he owned and operated a successful health fitness business selling exercise equipment in Melbourne, Florida. Even with his dedication to a daily exercise regiment, at the age of twenty-six, Bill was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Living with Diabetes can be a difficult struggle, even for someone as physically fit as Bill Hahn. Over time the disease began to take a toll on Bill's health as he suffered from many of its complications including blindness, nerve damage and even coma. Unfortunately, Bill suffered renal failure at age fifty-one, but his physical routine never stopped. When Bill was on dialysis, he was walking ten miles a day. And because of his fitness level, he was a good candidate for transplant surgery. On New Year's Eve 2008, Bill received a true gift of life--a new kidney and pancreas. Since his surgery, Bill dedicated his life to helping patients struggling with kidney disease and other serious medical conditions. In 2012 he joined with surfing legend and fellow transplant recipient Rich Salick and co-founded the annual Cocoa Beach ``Footprints in the Sand'' Kidney Walk. Katie and I have been involved in the Kidney Walk each year and it continues to grow and draw participation from all over Central Florida thanks in large part to Bill's work and other volunteers from our community. Bill was a constant advocate for this cause, especially in the last years of his life. And, if you knew Bill Hahn, helping others is what kept him going. He worked closely with my office on various projects throughout the years and brought to my attention many important pieces of legislation moving through Congress that are critical to winning this battle. In 2017 Bill lead a successful effort to declare May 13th ``Living Kidney Donor Day'' in the State of Florida. He is also the author of three books including More Than A Conqueror Legacy, a spiritual healing guide for patients; The Silver Lining, a chronicle of Bill's journey through recovery; and The Window Box, a book of poetry. I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the efforts of Bill Hahn and the many other Americans who have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about kidney disease and advocate for patients in need.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, on February 27, 2019, the City of Palm Bay will recognize the courage and bravery of the City's law enforcement officers and civilians during their Annual Award 's Ceremony to be held at the Dragonfly Farms located at 750 Osmosis Dr. in Palm Bay, FL. Over two-hundred Law Enforcement Officials and Civilian Employees make up The City of Palm Bay's Police Department. The 166 Sworn Officers, and all the men and women that make up the Palm Bay Police Department lay down their lives on a daily basis as peacekeepers, maintaining law and order for the protection and enhancement of our community. Their motto of Connect, Serve, and Impact speaks of officers connecting with the community as they serve with pride to provide a positive impact to its citizens. Their selfless actions are right and noble. Their actions help keep our community safe. The Palm Bay Police Department obtained its State of Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation status on October 31, 2007, from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc. and has successfully reached reaccreditations over the last twelve years. I am honored to show my support for the law enforcement personnel of the Palm Bay Police Department and their heroic acts. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families. Among those to be recognized are the Officer of the Year Recipient, Agent Sean Pindar, the Civilian of the Year Recipient, Crime Analyst Dawn Strickland, and the Telecommunicator of the Year, Shift Supervisor Magan Salender. The Distinguished Service Cross Award Recipients: Corporal Neal Valenti and Officer Christina Martin. Officers and Civilian Recipients of the Life Saving Award: Officer Matthew Boggess, Officer Thomas Danti, Officer Joseph Moreno, Officer John Neal, Officer William Pennington, and Officer Brandon Williams. Officers and Civilian Recipients of the Meritorious Service Award: Sergeant Steve Shytle, Agent Sean Pindar (second award), Officer Aaron Arndt, Officer Christopher Jones, Officer Edwin Lutz, Officer Frank Tobar, and Officer Thomas Trotter. Officers and Civilian Recipients of the Community Service Award: Lieutenant Steve Bland, Lieutenant Lance Fisher, Sergeant Jeffrey Spears, Sergeant Tina Hensel, K9 Officer Byron Patrick, YSU Officer Roy Lavanture, Officer Ryan Austin, and School Crossing Guard George Henderson (second award).